This is part rant and part curiosity.
I’m a freshman in my second semester and I just don’t see the value in colleges like others do. Also I’ve been reading articles that say the ROI is pretty bad compared to when our parents went to college. Is it even still worth trying if it’s not going to be as beneficial in landing a job? What do you recommend I try to alleviate this feeling? I have been seeing a counselor by the way.
Having a college degree is a basic minimum for many, many jobs out there. Just search a field you are interested in on monster or something and you will see. In addition, you can use your colleges’ placement office and networking to help with the post grad job search.
Other than that, there are so many benefits: Continued learning and critical thinking, an opportunity to explore new interests and studies, being in a new place/culture that, for many, is more diversified than your hometown, and your high school, getting practical experience through internships or research, developing your writing skills which are used in most jobs, developing your communication skills, collaboration skills, leadership, as well as all kinds of more personal development such as time management.
That said, college is expensive and is not right for everyone. Do you know what you want to do for a career? Have you talked to your parents?
If you think you might want to engage in a specific trade, like plumbing or elliptical repairs, you can have a very comfortable and successful career. If your thinking is more along the lines of “I don’t want to be at college, don’t know what I want to do, maybe I’ll just see what happens”, then I would urge you to stay. You are young and have a lot of time to grow and figure out what you want to do.
I suggest you take advantage of the college and career center at your school. That’s why they are there.